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Cops: Student Allegedly Displayed Gun At Community College Of Philadelphia; Suspect Charged

Students and others evacuate the West Building of Community College of Philadelphia, in the 1700 block of Spring Garden Street, as Philadelphia and campus police cordon off the area where a gunman was reported Wednesday. (Photo by Ed Fischer)

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Police say a student allegedly displayed a gun during a confrontation inside a classroom at Community College of Philadelphia Wednesday afternoon, which lead to an evacuation of the school.

The alleged suspect was taken into custody at about 1:30 p.m.

Police have identified the suspect as 23-year-old Ryan Fitch of the 9500 block of State Road.

The incident began at about 12 noon today at the school, which is located on Spring Garden Street in Philadelphia.

According to investigators, the incident began when a student at the school entered a chemistry class and confronted a classmate.

During that confrontation, investigators say the 23-year-old suspect allegedly displayed a handgun. He then fled the school.

A 911 call was then placed and SWAT Team Members, as well officers with Homeland Security, arrived at the scene.

Police searched the entire school as a part of the investigation. However, police stressed that this was *NOT* an active shooter situation.

As a precaution, all buildings of Community College were evacuated.

Community College of Philadelphia’s Main Campus closed for the day at 2:15 p.m. The campus will reopen tomorrow for normal operating hours.

Fitch was taken into custody in Northeast Philadelphia and was transported to Central Detectives.

It was not immediately known what prompted the initial confrontation, but Deputy Police Commissioner Richard Ross hinted it could have been over a female.

(Students forced to evacuate the West Building of Community College of Philadelphia huddle from the rain under a 17th Street overpass while awaiting word on when the building would be reopened. Photo by Ed Fischer)

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As a precaution, Julia R. Masterman School, which is located directly across from CCP, and Ben Franklin High School and Franklin Learning Center were all placed on lockdown. Those lockdowns have since been lifted.

Police say Fitch is being charged with Weapon on School Property, Terroristic Threats, Simple Assault and Recklessly Endangering Another Person.